Scotiabank Turns to Immigrants to Boost Canadian Banking

By Sean B. Pasternak - Apr 3, 2012 7:16 PM GMT+0500
Bank of Nova Scotia, Canada’s third- largest bank, plans to increase the share of banking services it offers for newcomers to the country, said Anatol von Hahn, the lender’s group head of domestic banking.

Emigrating India, China or Mexico, we try to get you before you arrive to get you to open some of your banking services,” von Hahn said yesterday during an interview in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where the Toronto-based bank is holding its annual meeting.

By gaining a larger share of immigrants, which von Hahn said enter Canada at a rate about 250,000 per year, Scotiabank can increase its “share of wallet” for services such as mortgages and credit cards. Von Hahn estimates the bank has a 17 percent to 18 percent share of newcomers to Canada, with the biggest “opportunity” to expand being with skilled workers who come to Canada for a short period.

“The bigger objective is, we need to get more customers through the front door so that we can provide them with our services,” said von Hahn, who has been with Scotiabank since 1984. “That’s of course a very hard thing to do in a mature market when most of your customers are already banked, and it’s difficult to switch them.”

Domestic banking accounted for 32 percent of the lender’s C$5.3 billion ($5.35 billion) in record net income last year, and von Hahn’s unit was the biggest contributor to profit. The lender uses its moniker of being “Canada’s most international bank,” with operations in more than 50 countries, as a starting point to seek out new clients before they move to Canada.

Scotiabank often receives referrals from immigration consultants in the countries it does business in for clients moving to Canada. The bank also has a three-person branch inside Mexico’s Canadian embassy, where newcomers to Canada often visit and explore banking relationships before they leave the country, von Hahn said.

In addition, Scotiabank plans to bolster domestic banking profit by expanding auto lending and small banking businesses, von Hahn said.

“There’s a lot more in the small business segment where we can continue to grow,” said von Hahn, who has worked for the bank in Chile, Argentina and Mexico. “I think that’s an area you’ll continue to see us grow in.”

To contact the reporter on this story: Sean B. Pasternak in Toronto at spasternak@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: David Scanlan at dscanlan@bloomberg.net; David Scheer at dscheer@bloomberg.net

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Microsoft Presses: More Green Cards For India IT

Oracle, Google, Cisco, and Intel also push Senate to pass stalled legislation to end per-country caps on employment-based green cards.

By Paul McDougall InformationWeek
April 04, 2012 09:22 AM

Microsoft is calling on the Senate to pass stalled legislation that would put an end to per-country caps on employment-based green cards.

"Our current green card system is not up to the task, with highly valued professionals spending a decade or more mired in backlogs," said Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith in a blog post. "Government officials are warning that these backlogs will become even more severe next month, especially for individuals born in India and China."

8 IT HIring Strategies Of Top CIOs



Smith called on the Senate to pass the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act (H.R. 3012)), which sailed through the House of Representatives in November with a 389-15 vote. The act would make the 140,000 employment-based green cards that the U.S. issues each year available on a first come, first served basis. Currently, individuals from any one country can account for no more than 7% of the total work-related green cards issued.

"The Senate should act now and pass this important legislation," said Smith.

Critics of the current system maintain that it punishes individuals from big countries such as India and China, which produce large numbers of technology professionals. Those from smaller countries such as, say, Iceland, have a much easier time getting employment-based green cards because their countries rarely exceed the 7% cap.

[ India also is unhappy with the U.S. visa process. Read India Lodges Complaint Over H-1B Visa Rejections. ]

The Act would not increase the total number of green cards available, a fact that helped it win broad, bipartisan support in the House. Even lawmakers, such as Long Island Democrat Tim Bishop, who in the past have sought tougher restrictions on companies' ability to outsource work or import foreign IT pros, voted in favor of the Act.

Numerous tech companies in addition to Microsoft also support the bill. They include Oracle, Google, Cisco, and Intel. Industry support also came from, among others, the Semiconductor Industry Association, the Telecommunications Industry Association, and the Software and Information Industry Association.

More controversially, Microsoft would like to see more H-1B visas made available to foreign tech workers. The government currently caps the annual number at 65,000, not including 20,000 set aside for foreign graduates of U.S. universities. "Even with our economy in the midst of a prolonged recovery, the annual allotment of H-1B visas is projected to be exhausted earlier than last year," said Smith.

The H-1B visa program is controversial as, unlike with employment-related green cards, it does not require employers to show that there are no Americans available for a particular job. It's also difficult for H-1B workers to switch companies once they are in the U.S., a fact that, critics say, turns them into indentured laborers that are more attractive to employers than Americans, who are free to jump to another company whenever they choose.

But Smith said Microsoft and other tech companies need to import labor due to the tight supply of U.S. born technology workers. He said the unemployment rate in the tech sector is less than 4%. "Our economy is hungry for workers with strong educational backgrounds, especially those with degrees in the science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) fields."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services this week began accepting green cards for the government's next fiscal year, which starts on October 1.

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New immigrants are the ‘hidden homeless’

Anthony Rozario can smile about his subsidized apartment now, but the Bangladeshi father and his wife used to share a small Scarborough apartment with three adult children.

Nicholas Keung Immigration Reporter

Anthony Rosario, his wife and three adult children shared a two-bedroom apartment in Scarborough when they first came from Bangladesh in 1998.

At times, they also shared their already crowded dwelling with other families, converting available space into bedrooms.

Space was tight but so was their budget, with their $900-a-month rent eating up half the family’s monthly income.

Up until February, Rosario and his wife, Mary, were still sharing their two-bedroom apartment with his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.

“It’s tough to live with so many people in so little space, but you are bound to live like this when you don’t have money,” said Rosario, 61, a bakery chef, who two months ago finally moved into a subsidized seniors’ apartment after four years on the waiting list.

But a new study on immigrant housing warns that thousands of newcomers continue to live in “hidden homelessness” — in shared, overcrowded housing — an issue that has grown more acute, especially in Toronto, where affordable rental units are in short supply.

The national study by Metropolis, an international network of researchers in immigration policy, found most newcomers reported spending more than 50 per cent of income on housing, with 15 per cent spending 75 per cent or more.

“Financial difficulties force many newcomers to share accommodations that are often poor quality, overcrowded and unsafe,” says the report.

The report is based on national housing data and surveys of 600 migrants in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. In Toronto, where the average wage is $69,000, most newcomers surveyed had incomes under $20,000.

“New rooming houses are being created in the suburbs, in locations without rooming house regulations. Often illegal, suburban rooming houses can offer deplorable housing,” the report continued.

Newcomers also face discrimination in the housing market, with refugees, temporary residents, single parents, large families and people who do not speak English or French facing the greatest challenge, said University of British Columbia professor Daniel Hiebert, the study’s lead author. “The housing situation generally improves over time for most immigrants but there’s a fraction of the immigrant population where the challenges remain and persist for a long time,” he said.

In Toronto, the vacancy rate for rental accommodation fell to 2.1 per cent in 2010, well below the 3 to 4 per cent threshold, a decline more “sustained and dramatic” compared with other immigrant gateway cities, the report states. (The city’s vacancy rate in 2011 fell again to 1.4 per cent.)

Since the 2008 global financial meltdown, the report says, construction projects were cancelled and the number of apartment starts fell by almost 50 per cent in the city.

The recent supply of apartments is mostly intended for the condominium market, which has increased from 22.1 per cent of all starts in 1996 to 44.6 per cent in 2010.

Since 2000, the Toronto Housing Databank found that units with rents between $600 and $900 have decreased by 66,069, while those with rents between $901 and $1,500 and over have increased by 48,760.

“With rising rents, the loss of inexpensive rental units, and disproportionate growth in condominiums, the supply of affordable accommodation for newcomers, particularly those with children is limited,” said the study, whose Toronto section was led by York University professor Valerie Preston.

Toronto is home to the largest stock of social housing in Canada, with 127,545 units of rent-geared-to-income housing in which residents pay no more than 30 per cent of total income before taxes on housing. However, almost 90,000 households are on the waiting list, meaning wait times of four to 21 years.

The study calls for a national housing strategy by all levels of government and the redesigning of housing services for newcomers.

Vacancy and average rents in Toronto in 2010

Vacancy rateRent

Studio2.3%$778

1-bedroom2.4%$952

2-bedroom1.9%$1,118

3-bedroom or more1.6%$1,305

Dwelling (unit) starts in Toronto by type:

200820092010

Detached11,3088,1309,936

Semi2,3622,0321,654

Townhouse4,6122,9184,365

Apartments23,93012,86913,240

Precarious Housing & Hidden Homelessness Among Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Immigrants

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U.S. Illegal Immigrant Enforcement Sweep Brings 3,100 Arrests

By Seth Stern - Apr 2, 2012 10:02 PM GMT+0500

U.S. officials, during a six-day sweep, arrested more than 3,100 illegal immigrants who have been convicted of crimes or failed to leave the country after being ordered to do so.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement division announced the results of its third national “Cross Check” operation today in a statement.

“The results of this targeted enforcement operation underscore ICE’s ongoing commitment and focus on the arrest and removal of convicted criminal aliens and those that game our nation’s immigration system,” said John Morton, the agency’s director, in the statement.

Those arrested include 2,834 people with convictions for crimes including murder, drug trafficking and child abuse.

To contact the reporter on this story: Seth Stern in Washington at sstern14@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Steven Komarow at skomarow1@bloomberg.net

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Understanding Family Immigration Visas

By Richard M Gordon

There are many ways to go about obtaining permanent residency status within the U.S. if you are a foreigner. Different visas have been created to make this process possible, and there are many types that can be used to obtain recognition as a lawful United States permanent resident. There are a number of ways in which an illegal resident of the country can gain citizenship and some of the main ones are: work visas, fiancée visas, non-immigrant visas, student visas, and, of course, family visas.

U.S. law allows for illegal residents and non-citizen immigrants to enter into the country upon the condition that they have a visa and have been legally permitted to do so. As a lawful permanent resident of the country, foreigners can use their visas to enter the United States, as well as live in the country permanently and obtain employment. However, there are conditions to obtaining the legal documents that allow this type of lifestyle, and one of the most commonly used ways to enter and live in the U.S. is the family visa, which is not excluded from carrying its own set of terms and conditions. In order to be granted residency, a non-citizen may choose to obtain a family visa if their situation permits for this type of allowance. When this is the case, an immigrant can use their relative's permanent residency and/ or citizenship as a means into the country. To do so requires the citizen or permanent resident currently living in the United States to petition for a visa on behalf of the individual who wishes to enter the country.

Family members can petition on behalf of a brother, sister, parent, wife, husband, and any unmarried children over the age of 21, as well any of their children. Before the visa will be granted, it must be established that the person making the petition is financially stable enough to support the incoming immigrant. This means that the family member will need to prove that they have enough assets and/ or financial means to support an additional person. If this can be established, then the next step in the process will be for the family member to formally accept an additional support. This will be completed by acknowledging the legal responsibility of such an action and then signing written documentation to officiate the face. This documentation is referred to as the Affidavit of Support. Only once all of these steps have been taken can the immigrant who intends to enter the U.S. permanently apply for a visa themselves.

The initial steps of obtaining a family visa are only the beginning of what is a lengthy and rather complex legal process. However, these are usually the most commonly accepted and widely used ways to gain residency in the country, and as such, the chances of successfully obtaining residency in this manner is relatively high. The issuance of a visa is most often done based on predetermined annual quotas, the home country of the petitioner, and the petitioner's relationship to a U.S. family member. Again, this often a complicated process, and it is one that should not be attempted without the guidance of a legal professional that is skilled in immigration law and can help walk you through the process with as much ease as possible.

At Maney and Gordon, an Orlando immigration attorney from the firm can help you navigate your way through the legal system as it pertains to immigration law. The firm opened its doors in 1997, and ever since, it has been skillfully providing legal assistance to immigrants, non-citizens, and permanent residents throughout the state of Florida. When you need steadfast legal representation you can feel confident in turning to the law office of Maney and Gordon. There you will find a team of attorneys that have been named as Super Lawyers and one that has obtained the highest peer review rating possible by the acclaimed Martindale-Hubbell rating system. There is no doubt that this will be a difficult time for you and your family, but there is something that can be done about it and hiring an associate from the Orlando firm should be your first step in the process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6929125

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Immigration to Canada - What's in It for You?

By Ricardo Colindres

Each day, more and more individuals are seeking greener pastures overseas. This includes immigration to Canada, and as a result, the country's population keeps growing. Recent data has revealed that Canada's population has been growing by close to six percent, and a lot of this is apparently due to immigration. So what does this mean for you? If you are planning to leave your homeland and seek your fortune in Canada, consider the following information.

Nowadays, immigration to Canada takes only about one year to complete. This is a great deal shorter than it used to take in the past, what with all the revamped laws and regulations passed through the years. Over three million skilled migrant visas are offered by the Canadian government each year, which should be very encouraging news to anybody and everybody who wants to give this option a try. You will, however, need to prove your capability to make a decent living overseas to improve your chances of earning such a visa.

There are many options available for those who want to seek employment in Canada. Really, there isn't a "best" or "worst" city or province when it comes to immigration to Canada - this is, after all, a country with generally low rates of unemployment and low rates of crime. Many immigrants from all over the world, including the United States, America and Europe, have built new lives in Canada, and provided you do your homework and successfully complete all your requirements, you just might be one of them.

Requirements for immigration to Canada are quite simple. Of course, you will need a visa, which could be a temporary work visa, permanent work visa or business visa, among others. Being fluent in English is very essential as it is one of two major languages spoken in the country, the other one being French. That said, bilingualism can go a long way, particularly in areas such as Quebec which have a large population of French speakers. Being experienced in your chosen field could also give you an advantage, although most anybody can apply for work following immigration to Canada.

Immigration to Canada is a very viable option for those who want to try their luck in another part of the world and earn a better living for their families. With low unemployment rates and a working environment conducive to success, you can't possibly ask for anything more when it comes to working overseas.

For more information about immigrating to Canada, you may visit Canada Immigration Services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6962904

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What's Up in Aviation News?

What's up in the world of aviation? Here are some of the latest headlines relevant to small aircraft, executive jet pilots, and FBOs.


FBOs must meet Stage 3 noise standard requirements by 2015. In late February, President Obama signed into law an FAA bill requiring fixed-base operators of business jets operating under Stage 1 and 2 noise standards to meet Stage 3 requirements by December 31, 2015. After that date, jets weighing 75,000 pounds or less operating within the 48 contiguous states are required to comply with Stage 3 noise levels.

There are some exemptions to that rule in the bill, such as the temporary moving of aircraft for modification or sale outside the 48 contiguous states, the modification of an aircraft to meet Stage 3 noise standard requirements or other heavy maintenance, for the scrapping or storage of an aircraft, and for the diversion of the aircraft for certain reasons.

Be aware of temporary flight restrictions this campaign season. Whatever you're political views, if you're a general aviation pilot or FBO, pay close attention to the travel schedules of the President, Vice President and Republican nominee this campaign season. Presidential election seasons increase temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) on general aviation (GA) flights, and the increased restrictions can impact your own flight plans.

The White House and Secret Service, in association with the TSA, are trying to keep official TFRs to a minimum during the 2012 campaign season. They understand that TFRs wreak havoc on business and flight schedules, especially during the week and in major cities. Secret Service also avoid TFRs because they require revealing where the President or other politician is located, and where he or she is going. That is a safety and protection issue they want to keep to a minimum.

If you are a National Business Aviation Association member, you can visit their website and monitor the latest Presidential election-campaign-related temporary flight restrictions.

Savannah Technical College building new aviation tech school. The Savannah Technical College (STC) is building a new Aviation Training Facility at the Crossroad Campus. Scheduled to be completed in 2013, the new facility will be able to train up to 75 more aviation mechanics and technicians yearly. This is good timing, say industry insiders, as the demand for properly-trained technicians is increasing.

FCC cancels LightSquared's broadband signals due to GPS interference. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has banned LightSquared from carrying its terrestrial LTE network satellite frequency broadband signals on frequencies close to GPS frequencies. Following a year of testing, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) gave the FCC a report stating that LightSquared's satellite frequency bands demonstrated serious and widespread GPS interference - including interference with navigation gear used by planes, boats and cars - that LightSquared's terrestrial broadband signals cannot currently coexist with GPS bands, and that there is no immediate solution to the interference problems.

The FCC's ruling has effectively canceled LightSquared's plans for a $14 billion high-speed wireless system. In an effort to preserve cash, LightSquared is cutting about 149 jobs, about 45 percent of its jobs, while they work to resolve and reverse the FCC's decision. The NTIA said it will work with the FCC and broadband industry to help solve the current interference problems with GPS.

Tango Yankee, LLC is the parent company of Business Aircraft Center and Danbury Aviation, a self- and full-service aircraft and pilot planning center located at Danbury Municipal Airport that includes aircraft management, hangar storage, tie-downs and plane detailing. Tango Yankee, LLC is owned and operated by Santo Silvestro of New Canaan, CT, who is a pilot and aviation enthusiast.

Visit Business Aircraft Center's website at http://www.businessaircraftcenter.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6927675

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5 Tips - How to Become a Pilot

By Peter Ingersson

Being a pilot is a well-respected job in the community, and the pay is generally good as well. Not just anyone can become a pilot, though. There is lots of education involved, the amount of which depends upon whether you want to become a commercial pilot or just want to fly as a hobby. Either way, there are a few tips that will help you get well on your way to flying the friendly skies.

1. Go to College: Most airlines want to hire pilots who have a 4-year college degree, even if you have been to a separate aviation school. Though some will hire without the college degree or only with a 2-year associate's degree, you will often be passed up for a pilot who does have that Bachelor's degree.

2. Join the Military: The cost of a Bachelor's degree is high and only getting higher all the time. When you tack on the cost of aviation or flight school, the price may be out of reach for some individuals. If this is the case for you, an option to become a pilot is to join the military. You don't have to stay in your whole career. You can go to flight school, serve your minimum amount of time (generally 4-8 years) and then leave the military and work for an airline. Instead of paying for your education, you will get paid to acquire your pilot's license.

3. Stay in Shape: To pass the initial tests to become a pilot, you must be in good physical shape. A physical test is part of the licensing requirements. It may be best to get what is called a First Class medical certificate before you start flight school that is issued by a Federal Aviation Administration medical examiner. Getting one in advance ensures you can pass the test before you spend a lot of time and money educating yourself as a pilot.

4. Work on Your Ratings: Even after flight or aviation school, there are ratings that you must acquire to get your license. Instrument ratings are needed to ensure you can read instruments in various types of aircraft. Engine ratings ensure you can fly single and multi-engine planes. Pay attention to the requirements and make sure you log enough flight time to achieve the necessary ratings.

5. Be Patient: There are only so many pilot jobs available at any given time. Many pilots begin their careers in other fields like flight instruction before advancing to pilot. If you don't find a job immediately, work on things like instrument ratings and keep applying until you find your dream job.

Peter knows all about airplanes and is a big fan of the private jets of Piaggio Aero, especially the Piaggio P1XX.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6927412

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How to Have Financial Security While Travelling Abroad

By Justin K Hackett

More times than not credit cards make travelling the world much easier. I know when I travelled throughout North Africa; I always had a credit card as a backup form of payment. There is not a need to deal with travelers cheques, exchange large amounts of money, or wearing that annoying fanny pack, which clearly labels you as a tourist. But the simplicity of credit cards should not be overlooked as consumers can find themselves in a leap of financial trouble.

First, I recommend calling your financial institution and letting them know where/when you will be travelling. If you forget to call your financial institution, there is a high chance the bank will automatically block your card. This usually is an attempt to block any fraudulent transactions. Once the bank has been notified, they can adjust your account and allow you to use your card without any provocation.

Credit cards generally charge a fee, which is known as a foreign transaction fee. These fees generally hover around 3 percent and can add up quite quickly once you factor in all the miscellaneous items you will be purchasing. You may think this fee only applies to purchases made in foreign currency, but in recent times credit card companies are assessing the fee on any international purchase. So even if you are travelling in a country who lists their prices in US dollars, there is a chance you will still be assessed a fee. The best way to avoid these fees is to have a reserve amount of cash on hand, which can be used to for small knick-knack gifts. Save the credit card for big purchases, such as dinners, hotels, or expensive excursions.

It is a prudent idea to have a digital image of your credit card. You could scan a copy to a flash drive, snap a photo on your Smart Phone, or store in a similar fashion on your tablet. This is helpful in the event you lose your card, need to call the bank in a pinch, or are not carrying your credit cards but still want to make payment.

If you are travelling in some European countries, they utilize a smart card or pin encrypted credit card. This card has an extra layer of security, which may contain a microchip or an extra PIN number, which must be entered to complete the transaction. Most European countries do accept US credit cards, but beware there are exceptions especially for automatic vending machines. By vending machine, I do not mean a machine which will disperse chips, but some train kiosks issue tickets via a vending machine. It sure beats going to the window!

Always, always, always carry a back up card! This card should ONLY be used in extreme cases. I highly recommend having this back up card associated with a different bank then the rest of your cards. When I was in Algeria, my two primary cards were cancelled because they were linked with the same bank. I was forced to use my back up card and was very happy that it was associated with a different bank.

Lastly, it is important to diversify your payments by using your different credit cards. In addition you should always have a small amount of reserve cash just in case things go awry with your cards. In case you lose your cards you should make a note of the various toll free numbers, your personal banker, or a service center. This way a card can be quickly cancelled and a replacement card placed in the mail. In the meantime use your cash to get by.

Follow these handy tips for financial security while travelling abroad and you can focus more on enjoying the fun, then what is happening at the banks. Remember, it is a vacation!!

Justin Hackett has extensive travel experience in the Middle East, which includes living and working in North Africa. He has been with Travel Visa Pro for 2 years and prior to that he was a staff assistant to the Cultural Attaché from the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission. He holds a M.A. in Middle East Studies from The George Washington University and speaks several dialects of Arabic at a conversational level. Justin advises clients on Middle Eastern travel, especially clients wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia and coordinates marketing efforts at Travel Visa Pro. Contact him via email at justin@travelvisapro.com or call 202 684 7150.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6963539

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Cheap Island Vacations to the Hawaiian Island of Oahu

By Deborah B Woods

Oahu is known locally as "The Gathering Place", and is the home of around 75% of the total Hawaiian Islands' population. At its widest points, this volcanic island is 44 miles long and 30 miles wide and has 227 miles of shoreline. Oahu is the result of two volcano's Waianae and Koolau, with a wide "valley" called the central Oahu Plain between them. The highest point is Mount Kaala in the Waianae Range at 4,003 feet above sea level.

Waikiki in Honolulu is on the south-east coast and now has several hostel accommodations where you can stay for a very humble payment from $25 per night. Private rooms are available so if you are on your honeymoon you need not be despair or be concerned that you have chosen hostel accommodation!

Hostels are now thankfully losing the poor image they have suffered for many years of scratchy sheets, no sheets, and dark and dismal rooms occupied by pot smoking hippies. That scenario disappeared long ago, and now hostels are bright, cheery, welcoming, comfortable and clean establishments. The huge benefit of choosing a hostel, apart from all the cash you save is that you will meet friendly and down-to-earth people who are more than likely experienced travelers willing to share their knowledge with you, perhaps making lasting friendships. This gives you the best local information from day one of your vacation so that you will not miss out on the best restaurants, attractions, best value shopping and of course the beaches.

If you are travelling solo, hostels are definitely the best option, and not just to save money. Hotels can be very lonely places for single travelers, and the facilities they offer are usually aimed at couples and families. Apart from that, you really get stung on your room charges for solo occupancy. In any hostel you will make friends very quickly, and evenings often have a social gathering arranged for residents.

Oahu offers pristine beaches where you can snorkel as much as you like for the cost of a snorkel kit! The corals and colorful tropical fish will keep you occupied or hours and days on end. Water sports are of course offered, surfing being a very popular sport on the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian climate is glorious, with little difference between seasons.

Hiking and walking are not to be overlooked and this is another free of charge activity. Oahu has an amazing and diverse landscape - Jurassic Park was filmed on the Hawaiian Islands and now you can experience that beauty and diversity without looking over your shoulder for veloceraptors!

Waikiki has many nightclubs and bars to party the night away, giving a total contrast to the peace and tranquility you can also experience on this island. The center of Honolulu is teeming with designer stores, shopping malls and restaurants to satisfy all tastes. Hawaii has a beautiful culture and you should not miss going to a Luau which is a Hawaiian feast, and perhaps a slack key concert where traditional Hawaiian song and music is performed.

Hawaii's number one attraction is the Pearl Harbor Memorial. The first United States battle of World War II in the Pacific was the surprise attack from the Imperial Japanese Navy on Pearl Harbor, Oahu on the morning of December 7th 1941 and was aimed at the Pacific Fleet of the United States Navy and its defending Army Air Corps and Marine Air Forces. 353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes were launched in two waves from six aircraft carriers and attacked, damaged or destroyed twelve American warships, 188 aircraft, and killed 2,403 American servicemen and 68 civilians.

At the memorial you watch a film of the attack and see memorabilia in the museum. You can almost hear the aircraft as you look over Oahu bay and imagine what that terrible day must have been like for those people who died and for those who lived to tell of their experience. The memorial is named Arizona after the tragic sinking of the Navy vessel Arizona on which so many perished.

The Arizona memorial is a privilege to visit, and Oahu is a blessing that everyone can now take advantage of with cheap flights readily available and friendly hostel accommodations waiting. These islands used to be an exclusively rich man's paradise, but not any more, Oahu and the Hawaiian Islands is now a paradise available to everyone.

Having worked in the travel industry for several years, the author is now in the process of creating two travel websites dedicated naturally to travel. The websites present opportunities that are available now to more people than ever before to see amazing places and experience more diverse cultures and natural and man-made wonders of the world. http://www.egypt-dreams.com highlights the historical attractions and wonders of Egypt and other ancient civilizations. http://www.forsureamazing.com favors family and budget vacations and adventures, giving practical information, advice, ideas and tips for travel, activities and destinations.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6967585

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